Huawei nova 11 vs Samsung Galaxy Z Fold5 - Detailed Phone Comparison

Detailed Comparison

Specification

General

Launch Date April 27, 2023 August 11, 2023
Release Year 2023 2023

Physical

Volume 83.47 cm³ 122.74 cm³
Screen Size to Weight Ratio 3.99 "/g 3 "/g
Weight 168 g 253 g
Height 161.3 mm 154.9 mm
Width 75 mm 129.9 mm
Thickness 6.9 mm 6.1 mm
Foldable Design No Yes
Available Colors
  • Gold
  • Black
  • White
  • Green
  • Blue
  • Phantom Black
  • Gray
  • Cream
  • Icy Blue

Display

Screen Size 6.7 " 7.6 "
Resolution 1084 x 2412 1812 x 2176
Aspect Ratio 20:9 16:9
Screen-to-Body Ratio 89.5 % 91.1 %
Pixel Density 391 PPI 373 PPI
Refresh Rate 120 Hz 120 Hz
Typical Brightness N/A N/A
HBM Brightness N/A N/A
Peak Brightness N/A N/A

Hardware

Battery Capacity per Screen Area 100.25 mAh/in² 76.18 mAh/in²
Battery Density 53.91 mAh/cm³ 35.85 mAh/cm³
Battery Capacity 4500 mAh 4400 mAh
NFC Support Yes Yes
Chipset Qualcomm SM7325 Snapdragon 778G 4G (6 nm) Qualcomm SM8550-AC Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 (4 nm)
CPU Octa-core (4x2.4 GHz Kryo 670 & 4x1.8 GHz Kryo 670) Octa-core (1x3.36 GHz Cortex-X3 & 2x2.8 GHz Cortex-A715 & 2x2.8 GHz Cortex-A710 & 3x2.0 GHz Cortex-A510)
GPU Adreno 642L Adreno 740

Connectivity

USB Version 2.0 3.2
OTG Support 1 1
DisplayPort
DisplayPort Version N/A N/A
USB Features USB Type-C 2.0, OTG USB Type-C 3.2, OTG

Software

Operating System N/A Android
Initial OS Version N/A 13
Maximum OS Version 17

Comparison Summary

1. Specifications Comparison

FeatureHuawei nova 11Samsung Galaxy Z Fold5Practical Impact
Design
Dimensions (mm)161.3 x 75 x 6.9154.9 x 129.9 x 6.1 (folded)Fold5 significantly wider when unfolded, impacting pocketability. Nova 11 is thinner and lighter.
Weight (g)168253Fold5 noticeably heavier, potentially tiring for extended use.
FoldableNoYesFold5 offers a larger screen real estate and unique multitasking capabilities. Nova 11 prioritizes portability.
Display
Display Size (inches)6.77.6 (main), 6.2 (cover)Fold5's main display offers a significantly larger viewing area for media consumption and productivity.
Display TypeOLED, 120HzFoldable Dynamic AMOLED 2X, 120HzBoth offer smooth scrolling and vibrant colors. Fold5's foldable display introduces a crease. Durability of the Fold5's inner display is a consideration.
Resolution1084 x 24121812 x 2176 (main), 904 x 2316 (cover)Fold5 boasts sharper visuals, especially on the main display.
Performance
ChipsetSnapdragon 778G 4GSnapdragon 8 Gen 2Fold5 significantly more powerful, enabling smoother multitasking, faster app loading, and better gaming performance.
CPUOcta-core (4x2.4 GHz & 4x1.8 GHz)Octa-core (1x3.36 GHz & 2x2.8 GHz & 2x2.8 GHz & 3x2.0 GHz)Fold5's superior CPU architecture provides a significant performance advantage.
RAM8GB12GBFold5 offers more RAM for seamless multitasking and keeping more apps open in the background.
OSMissingAndroid 13OS information missing for Nova 11 limits comparison. We can't compare software features, update guarantees, or overall user experience related to the OS.
Camera
Rear Camera50MP (Main) + 8MP (Wide/Macro)50MP (Main) + 12MP (Wide) + 10MP (Telephoto)Fold5 offers more versatile camera setup with a dedicated telephoto lens for optical zoom.
Front Camera60MP10MP (Cover), 4MP (Under-display)Nova 11 boasts a higher resolution selfie camera. Fold5 offers two selfie options with varying quality and convenience.
Video Recording720p@960fps8K@30fpsFold5 capable of significantly higher resolution video recording.
Battery
Capacity4500 mAh4400 mAhSimilar battery capacities. Real-world battery life depends heavily on usage patterns and the Fold5's larger display might drain the battery faster.

2. Key Differences Analysis

Huawei nova 11 Advantages:

  • Lighter and Thinner: More pocketable and comfortable for one-handed use.
  • Potentially Lower Price: Listed as "medium price" but specific price comparison is limited by the data.
  • Higher Resolution Selfie Camera: Potentially better for selfie enthusiasts.

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold5 Advantages:

  • Foldable Display: Offers a larger screen for productivity and media consumption, along with unique multitasking capabilities.
  • Significantly More Powerful: Superior performance for demanding tasks and gaming.
  • More Versatile Camera System: Dedicated telephoto lens and higher resolution video recording capabilities.
  • More Mature Software Ecosystem: (Assuming Nova 11 runs on EMUI, which lacks Google Mobile Services in many regions).

3. User Profiles & Recommendations

Huawei nova 11: Users prioritizing a lightweight, slim phone for everyday use with a focus on selfies and potentially a lower price point. Suitable for social media, light gaming, and general communication.

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold5: Power users, multitaskers, and content creators who value a large screen and cutting-edge performance. Ideal for productivity on the go, immersive media consumption, and demanding mobile gaming.

4. Decision Framework

Key Questions for Buyers:

  1. What is your budget? The Fold5 is a premium flagship device, significantly more expensive than the Nova 11.
  2. How important is portability versus screen size? The Fold5 offers a larger screen but is considerably bulkier.
  3. What are your primary use cases? Demanding tasks and multitasking benefit from the Fold5's power, while casual use might favor the Nova 11's lighter weight and potentially lower price.

Scenario-Based Recommendations:

  • Limited Budget, Casual User: Huawei nova 11
  • Power User, Multitasker: Samsung Galaxy Z Fold5
  • Focus on Portability and Selfies: Huawei nova 11
  • Focus on Large Screen and Productivity: Samsung Galaxy Z Fold5

My Choice: Samsung Galaxy Z Fold5

While the Huawei Nova 11 might be a good option for users on a tighter budget or those prioritizing portability and selfies, I would choose the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold5. The foldable form factor significantly enhances productivity and media consumption, providing a tablet-like experience in a pocketable device. The superior performance of the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 ensures a smooth and responsive user experience across all tasks. The more versatile camera system and mature software ecosystem further solidify its position as the more compelling choice for my needs. While the price is significantly higher, the innovative technology and enhanced user experience justify the premium. The missing OS details for the Nova 11 also hinder a complete comparison, making it difficult to assess its long-term usability and software support.

Emily Harper
Emily Harper

Technology Insights Specialist

Dedicated technology writer specializing in mobile device analysis and technology communication. Expert at translating complex smartphone features into clear, actionable insights for diverse audiences.

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